Motio Research's initial estimate of U.S. median household income in July 2025 is $84,260. This figure is $580 (0.7%) higher than the firm's initial estimate of median household income of $83,680 in June 2025.

The firm's estimates are based on income data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau through its monthly Current Population Survey. This survey is conducted during the week containing the 12th day of the month following the month in which its data applies. Motio Research then adjusts its monthly estimates to account for the effects of seasonality and inflation, presenting its results in the form of an index with the median household income of January 2010 assigned a value of 100. The initial value of the firm's U.S. Real Median Household Income Index for June 2025 is 117.3.

The following screenshot of Motio Research's interactive chart shows how this index has changed from January 2010 through May 2025:
 

July 2025's increase in Motio Research's U.S. Real Median Household Income Index based on survey data represents a significant improvement over the preceding month. Prior to June 2025, the index had been in a slowly falling trend.
 

Analyst's Notes

Political Calculations initial estimate of median household income in June 2025 based upon our alternate methodology is $83,743, which is $102 (or 0.1%) higher than our initial June 2025 estimate of $83,641. Our median household income estimate is $517 (or about 0.6%) below Motio Research's July 2025 estimate.

The latest update to Political Calculations' chart tracking Median Household Income in the 21st Century shows the nominal (red) and inflation-adjusted (blue) trends for median household income in the United States from January 2000 through July 2025. The inflation-adjusted figures are presented in terms of constant July 2025 U.S. dollars and are not seasonally adjusted, unlike the data used to produce Motio Research's Household Income index:
 

Political Calculations' monthly median household income estimates are derived from the Bureau of Economic Analysis' monthly aggregate wage and salary estimates for the U.S. population. In July 2025, the BEA's data saw very small downward revisions for April (-0.009%), May (-0.001%), and June 2025 (-0.010%).

The rate at which median household income is increasing has slowed in nominal, noninflation-adjusted terms since December 2024 and in real, inflation-adjusted terms since October 2024. The inflation-adjusted growth rate of median household income nearing stall speed according to our estimates based on aggregate income data.

References

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Table 2.6. Personal Income and Its Disposition, Monthly, Personal Income and Outlays, Not Seasonally Adjusted, Monthly, Middle of Month. Population. [Online Database (via Federal Reserve Economic Data)]. 28 August 2025.

U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Table 2.6. Personal Income and Its Disposition, Monthly, Personal Income and Outlays, Not Seasonally Adjusted, Monthly, Middle of Month. Compensation of Employees, Received: Wage and Salary Disbursements. [Online Database (via Federal Reserve Economic Data)]. Last Updated: 28 August 2025.

U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consumer Price Index, All Urban Consumers - (CPI-U), U.S. City Average, All Items, 1982-84=100. Not seasonally adjusted. [Online Database (via Federal Reserve Economic Data)]. 12 August 2025.

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